5th Grade Science

Physical Science	Earth Science	Life Science
The Scientific Method What is the nature of science? What is scientific inquiry? What is the Scientific Method? How are mass and weight measured? What are the affects of changing a variable? What are the steps in the Scientific Method?	Rocks and Minerals What are the processes that shape the land? How do living organisms respond to certain factors in their environment? What are minerals? How do rocks form? How do rocks change? What are some of Earth's landforms? What causes changes to Earth's landforms? How do movements of the crust change the Earth?	Ecosystems What are ecosystems? How are plants and animals in an ecosystem connected? How do plants produce food? How is energy passed through the ecosytem? How do organisms survive and compete in an ecosystem? How do ecosystems change over time? How do people affect ecosystems? Health and Nutrition How does nutrition and exercise affect our health? How are pathogens spread? Why is it important to keep skin, hair, and nails healthy? How do you keep healthy teeth and gums? How do the eyes and ears worktogether? How do you evaluate health information? How does the body breakdown food? What are the basic nutrients? How do you keep a balanced diet? How does excerise help the body? What is the difference between medicine use and abuse? How do you stay away from illegal drugs?

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CA BOCES

Physical Science

Electromagnetism
Liquids
Rocks and Minerals
Rocketry
Solar System
Simple Machines




Life Science

Incubation and Embryology
Ecosystems
Meet the Creatures
Terrariums

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NY.1.:
Analysis, Inquiry and Design: Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

NY.2.:
Information Systems: Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

NY.4.:
The Living Environment: Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

NY.6.:
Interconnectedness: Common Themes: Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.

NY.7.:Interdisciplinary Problem Solving: Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.


Science in fifth grade explores the nature of scientific inquiry, earth science, food and nutrition, and ecosystems.

By the end of the school year, all students should be able to:

• Formulate questions that can be answered by scientific inquiry, such as observation and collection of data. Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer the questions.
• Use mathematics in scientific inquiry.
• Understand that rocks are composed of minerals.
• Investigate, record, and explain how rocks and soil form.
• Identify events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, that cause earth movements.
• Design and construct models of land forms.
• Recognize habits that contribute to good health, including avoiding harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco, eating a nutritious diet, and exercising regularly.
• Understand that food supplies the energy and materials that living things need to grow and repair themselves.
• Observe and identify the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
• Identify examples of human activity that have had beneficial or harmful effects on other organisms.

Learning at Home

With your child, decide on a change that would help your family be healthier, for example, getting more exercise. Ask your child to find reliable sources of information in books or on the Web, and discuss what your family can do to make the change.

Encourage your child to take part in Earth Science Week, sponsored annually by the American Geological Institute. Local and national activities, information, and resources are available at www.earthsciweek.org.

As a family, visit the New York State Environment Hall at the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side to see how the natural landscape of our City and State developed over time. To find online information on rocks of New York and other places, visit www.amnh.org/ology/earth and click on "If Rocks Could Talk."